Reading sign Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah
Reading have signed Nathaniel Chalobah on loan until the end of the season
Reading have signed highly-rated Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah on a loan until the end of the season, confirmed the club through their official website. The 20-year-old will be available for the club’s FA Cup clash against Cardiff City on Saturday. Reading manager Steve Clarke was an assistant to Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s first term at Chelsea and knows about Chalobah’s potential more than the most.
Clarke said, “Nathaniel is a good young player who I have known about and followed for some time. He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old when he was part of the Watford team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13. Since that season, he has gained experience at other clubs and now feels that Reading is the right club to further his development as a player.”
“Nathaniel will take squad number 14 and, after the club fought off interest from other clubs to secure his signature, Chalobah will be eligible to play in this weekend's FA Cup Fourth Round clash at Cardiff City, subject to the normal ratification procedures from the relevant football authorities,” read Reading’s club statement.
Reading were desperately in need of a versatile player like Chalobah who plays as a midfielder and also offers cover in defence. The Englishman is expected to help The Royals climb up in the league as they are currently at the 18th position.
He was earlier loaned out to clubs like Wattford (2012), Nottingham Forest (2013), Middlesbrough (2014) and Burnley (2014). He was honoured with the title “Youth Player of the Year 2013” in The FA England Awards hosted by the Football Association.